South Dublin County Council has completed its Review and Determinations for all Quarries in the County.

A total of six determination reports on quarries have been undertaken by South Dublin County Council.

These reports arise from a number of special legislative provisions in relation to quarries introduced recently by the Government. These are; Section 261A of the Planning and Development Acts, the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, and the EU (EIA & Habitats) Regulations 2012.

Guidelines were issued in January 2012 by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála (the Board) pursuant to section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Further Supplementary Guidelines were issued in July 2012.

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This special provision made for quarries effectively provides that, for a very limited period, certain quarries with retention/EIA/Habitats issues will be permitted (and in fact required) to apply for substitute consent without having to prove exceptional circumstances. This is a last opportunity for certain quarries with legal issues/operating beyond their consent to regularise their status.

Section 261A requires the planning authority to determine which quarries in its administrative area would, having regard to the dates of implementation of the EIA Directive and the Habitats Directive, respectively, have required an EIA, or an appropriate assessment in relation to possible effects on the integrity of a European site, but which were not subject to such assessment/determination.

The Guidelines require the Planning Authority to compile a complete list of all relevant quarry developments within the area, based on every available source of data.

(CD/GK)